Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their lists of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that noted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year filled with excellent racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a notable point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely vote of confidence.
